India Advances Menstrual Health Dialogue at National Summit

India’s public sweats to ameliorate menstrual health and hygiene were the focus of the 5th MHM India Summit, held in New Delhi. The event, organised by the NGO Gramalaya, brought together over 250 delegates from government, development organisations, and the private sector to strengthen the country's menstrual health ecosystem.

A crucial advertisement at the peak was the protestation of Arimalam Government Advanced Secondary academy in Pudukottai District as India’s first menstrual waste-free and period-friendly academy. The academy has achieved 100 relinquishment of applicable cloth pads among its 160 menstruating girls and staff. Its lot features a devoted restroom complex with sequestration- concentrated structure and an incinerator, with all preceptors trained in menstrual hygiene operation.

The peak also stressed grassroots advocacy, drinking the ‘catcalls of Roads’ Bike Rally. The riders travelled nearly 5,000 kilometres from Tiruchirappalli to Delhi to raise mindfulness about menstrual hygiene and promote quality.

Conversations throughout the day addressed the current geography of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in India. elderly representatives from organisations like UNICEF India and PATH examined policy gaps, infrastructural requirements, and innovative results. crucial motifs included the creation of period-friendly water, sanitation, and hygiene (marshland) installations, community education strategies, eco-friendly products, and sustainable waste operation. Sessions also emphasised inclusivity, fastening on the requirements of else-abled individualities, ambisexual persons, and vulnerable communities during extremities.

A major public achievement was celebrated at the peak the Largest Handwashing mindfulness crusade for School scholars. Organised by Gramalaya with Reckitt’s Dettol Banega Swasth India, the 181-day crusade reached over one million scholars across 4,921 seminaries. The trouble was officially recognised by the India Book of Records in June 2025.

The event featured exhibits of innovative menstrual health results from social enterprises and explored how commercial social responsibility (CSR) hookups can bolster public MHM programmes. The peak concluded with a valedictory session addressed by Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, who reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening menstrual hygiene structure and expanding mindfulness enterprise.

The 5th MHM India Summit served as a platform for dialogue and collaboration, aiming to accelerate progress towards a future where period is free from smirch and supported by robust structure and policy across India.